Both cheers of support and loud laughter were heard throughout Pacific City this past weekend as surfers and spectators gathered on the beach to root on the participants in the annual Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic. This year marks the 25th running of the beloved community event. Started in 1998 by Bob and Michelle Ledbetter, the contest has grown to become a staple of the NW surf community. It not only attracts surfers throughout Oregon, but this year saw people from Canada, California, Washington and even Hawaii make the pilgrimage.

It’s not only the competition that keeps people coming back, however. It’s about the opportunity to celebrate our surf community in a fun and family friendly environment. It offers us the chance to reconnect with old friends and to share waves with our fellow surfers. People will cheer for good rides and support each other when they fall. It’s hardly a serious competition, but at the core, it is still a contest that people want to win.

Friday night’s registration party kicked off the weekend with beautiful weather and great vibes. The band Groundswell filled the tent with classic tunes that ranged from Jimmy Buffett to the Rolling Stones. Pelican Brewing generously provided the beer garden and food for the evening, while volunteers were busy handing out participant bags and selling contest merchandise. As the sun started to set, preparations were made to premiere the 25th Annual Tribute Video put together by Nate Holstedt at NH Films. Sponsored by Moment Surf Company and Pelican Brewing, the film documents the contest throughout the years and what it means to the community and its participants. We were honored that Michelle and several of the Ledbetter family were in attendance and helped introduce the video. Lots of tears were shared when the video was finished and it caped a wonderful evening. Watch the full video below!

The contest started the following morning at 7:30am with the first heat of the 40 to 49 year old men’s division. Clear skies, offshore winds, and a solid 4 to 6 foot swell greeted the contestants in the morning heats. Unbelievable surfing went on throughout the day, but it was these early morning rounds that were able to take advantage of the stellar conditions that really stood out. Both the men and women that got to surf before the afternoon winds switched to the north, really highlighted the level of NW surfing. At several times throughout the day however, both Tyler and Mattie doing the announcing almost fell out of their chairs with excitement. Standout heats during the afternoon were the 30 to 39 year old women and the 18 to 29 year old men, everyone was charging! 

The day finished up with everyone’s favorite division, Kid with Parent! It was the most amount of participants we’ve ever seen! Over 23 teams gathered up towards the Cove to escape the winds and building swell. From the youngest competitor at only 4 years old, to each and every adult, a good time was had by all! Stand out wave ridden went to Sofia Verdun.

Finals day started off much like the day before. With beautiful conditions and amazing surfing. The stand out performances of the day included Cameron Baker from the 13 to 17 year old girls division who won best ride for women and Dane Perlee who won it for the men. Every heat was so closely contested that it was a complete surprise when the winners were announced during the awards ceremony. Several finals, highlighted by the 40 to 49 year old women’s, came down to the last wave ridden to determine the winner. Other extremely close heats were the 50 to 59 year old men, 18 to 29 year old men, and the 30 to 39 year old women. Incredible surfing by everyone!  

This year’s contest was going to be special because we would be celebrating the 25th year of it happening. But the joy and love of this event by the people participating, volunteering, and spectating, it doesn’t matter how many times it happened before. People just seem to have a good time and enjoy this annual gathering of our community. No matter in what form the contest will be held in the future, or for how many times, it’s the people and atmosphere that make it special. And it’s been that way since the first….

Final Results:

Kids with Parent

4:   Crosby Conant

4:   Juian Carney

4:   Charlotte Akretch

4:   Elijah Perry

4:   Kruz Kauer

4:   Elizabeth Scout Houston

4:   Damian O'Dea

4:  Ayla Gann 

4:   Nico Medrano 

4:   Kove Kauer

4:   Makoa Young

4:   Ivan Burrus

4: Otto Leipzig

4:   Shane O'Dea

4:   Daisy Beard

4:   Charlotte Akretch

4. Eleanor Baker 

4. Sofia Verdun 

4. Wyatt Conant

4. Mateo Medrano

4. Cooper Babich 

3:   Benjamin Verdun

2:  Jonah Pacific Catt

1:   Theodore Schiaffino

Boy Groms 12 and Under

5:   Luke Sibley

4:   Bruce Jessal 

3:  Ollie Webb

2:  Merrick Iorincz

1:   Baker Stewart

Girl Groms 12 and Under

5. Loula Perlee

4. Muira Perlee

3 Brielle Sibley

2:  Sailor Houston

1:  Anneliese Akretch

Boy’s 13 to 17 Division

6:   Sonny Beard

5:   Kyan Harper

4:   Ronan Harper

3:   Anderson Webb

2:   Soren Johnson

1:   Lachlan Meyer

Girl’s 13-17 

2:  Campbell Behrends

1:  Cameron Tara Baker

Women’s 60+ Division

2. Angie Hummel

2. Deena Gomber

1. Patti Van Ham

Men’s 60+  Division

6:  Pete Cochran 

5:  Robert Fletcher

4:  Luis Lozano

3:  John Meyer

2:  Paul Snodgrass

1:  Michael Zeeman

Women’s 50's

5:  Roberta Pietrok

4: Josephine De Oliveira

3:  Susan Russo

2:  Jerri Clark

1:  Jeannine Mackie

Men’s 50's

6:   Jesse King

5:   Brian Anderson

4:   Jason Tilley

3:   Devon Kelly

2:  Jason Oei

1:   Brian Noji

Women’s 40's

6:  Marginy Goodyear

5:  Kate Fox

4:  Carly Dye

3:  Cathy Harding

2:  Skaidra Scholey

1:  Hana Perlee

Men’s 40's

6:  Jeff Rondina

5:  Seth Morrisey

4:  Russell Seagull McClanan

3:  Matty Spencer

2:  David Schiaffino

1:  Dane Perlee

Women’s 30's

6:  Selah Meyer

5:  Kelly Delperdang

4:  Lauren Ahlgren

3:  Mackenzie Russo

2:  Amelia O’Connor

1:  Kate Barattini

Men’s 30's

6:  Max Danger

5:  Alden Glinert

4:  Wyatt Pender

3:  Lyon Young

2:  Thomas Dempsey

1:  Sean Fagen

Women’s 18-29

6:  Kailee Flint

5:  Sarah Shattuck

4:  Natasha Roth

3:  Triana from Oahu

2:  Morgan Bloom

1:  Taylor Christie

Men’s 18-29

6:  Kailani Lauderdale 

5:  Jed Werner

4:  Justin Buford

3:  Nate Fletcher

2:  Deklyn Wood

1:  Michael Wedemeyer

Best Ride Men:  Dane Perlee 

Best Ride Women:  Cam Baker